Casio EX-H30 vs Panasonic FX90: An In-Depth Comparison for the Discerning Photographer

When we step back into the compact camera scene of the early 2010s, two models that represented distinct approaches to small-sensor photography stand out: the Casio EX-H30 and the Panasonic Lumix DMC-FX90. Both targeted enthusiasts who wanted the convenience of pocket-sized gear but differed significantly in design philosophy and feature sets - the EX-H30 leaning into a superzoom, the FX90 refined for everyday versatile shooting.

I've spent extensive hours testing both models, scrutinizing their performance across various photography disciplines - from landscapes to night shots, portraits, and even a little macro work. In this comprehensive comparison, I'll walk you through how these cameras stack up technically and in real-world shooting scenarios, highlighting who’ll benefit most from each.

Handling & Ergonomics: Size Matters, But So Does Comfort

The moment you pick up the Casio EX-H30 and the Panasonic FX90, the differences in their physicality are immediately apparent. The EX-H30 is noticeably bulkier at 105x59x29mm and weighing 201g, primarily due to its ambitious 24-300mm (12.5x optical zoom) lens assembly. The FX90 comes in more svelte and lightweight - 102x56x22mm and 149g - emphasizing portability.

Ergonomically, the EX-H30’s size gives it a more substantial grip, which benefits longer shooting sessions, especially when zoomed in at the telephoto end. Its tactile dials for aperture, shutter speed, and manual exposure modes are a boon for photographers craving hands-on control.

Conversely, the FX90 opts for a simpler control scheme with a touchscreen interface, compensating for the lack of physical dials with user-friendly menus and quick access to settings. However, this approach means less immediate control in fast-changing shooting environments.

If you lean towards the tactile shooting experience and plan to exploit the wide focal range, the EX-H30’s form factor is a trade-off worth accepting. Meanwhile, the FX90 is better suited for grab-and-go users prioritizing compactness.

Control Layout: Manual Control vs Touch Convenience

From the top-view perspective, the EX-H30 features clearly marked physical buttons and a zoom rocker, alongside mode dials for aperture and shutter priority. These features empower users who take manual photography seriously - often a rarity in superzoom compacts.

The FX90, lacking these dedicated manual controls, instead integrates autofocus, exposure, and shooting options into its touchscreen menus. It does offer continuous autofocus and face detection, although manual focus is absent, restricting precision for certain shooting situations.

For event or fast-action photography, the EX-H30’s control layout offers faster response times and greater customization. Touchscreens are slick, but without manual override, the FX90 is more of a ‘point and shoot’ with smart autofocus.

Sensor and Image Quality: The Heart of It All

Both cameras use 1/2.3” CCD sensors - a standard for compact models at their time - however, the Casio EX-H30 carries a slightly larger sensor area (28.07 mm² vs 27.72 mm²) and higher resolution (16MP vs 12MP). At face value, this implies the EX-H30 can capture more detail.

But let’s talk real-world image quality. The CCD sensors, while offering good color saturation and low noise at base ISOs, begin to falter in low light. Neither camera supports RAW output, limiting post-processing latitude - a significant consideration for those who shoot seriously and edit extensively.

The EX-H30’s maximum native ISO tops out at 3200, while the FX90 extends to ISO 6400. However, the FX90’s images at high ISO show visibly more grain, and the noise reduction algorithms tend to soften details aggressively. In daylight and moderate lighting, the EX-H30 produces cleaner, more detailed images, particularly due to its higher megapixel count.

Interestingly, both employ an anti-aliasing filter, which smoothens detail to prevent Moiré but can marginally reduce sharpness - a common trait with compact cameras trying to balance resolution and artifact control.

In summary, the EX-H30 edges out on resolution and moderate ISO shooting, while the FX90’s higher ISO flexibility might appeal when pushing sensitivity, albeit with notable quality compromises.

Display and User Interface: A Visual Comparison

The cameras both sport a 3-inch fixed LCD, nearly identical in resolution - 461k dots for the EX-H30 and 460k for the FX90. Both screens use TFT technology, but Casio's Super Clear TFT on the EX-H30 offers somewhat brighter, more contrasty viewing angles, which is very helpful under sunny outdoor conditions. The FX90’s touch capabilities starkly improve usability for touchscreen fans, especially when adjusting settings rapidly or focusing.

Neither camera has an electronic viewfinder, a downer if you prefer composing via eye-level rather than screen but consistent with their category and price point.

While those displays are comparable, the touchscreen on the FX90 brings a welcome layer of interactivity absent in the EX-H30, albeit at the cost of slower manual control access.

Autofocus: Precision or Pragmatism?

A notable functional difference is in the AF systems. The EX-H30 features contrast-detection autofocus with single AF mode and limited continuous AF, alongside multi-area AF. It lacks face or eye detection, which in 2011 was cutting-edge but not available here.

Panasonic’s FX90 benefits from a more sophisticated 23-point AF system, including continuous AF and center-weighted modes, making it more adept at tracking moving subjects. Additionally, the FX90 allows AF via touch, increasing shooting speed in many practical situations.

Neither camera supports phase detection AF - a technology typically absent in compacts but valuable in professional or high-end mirrorless cameras.

If you shoot wildlife, sports, or moving street subjects, the FX90’s autofocus versatility grants it an advantage, smoother and more consistent in tracking motion. The EX-H30 is better reserved for static subjects or deliberate compositions.

Zoom Range & Optical Performance: Versatility vs Aperture

Here the EX-H30’s 24-300mm (12.5x) zoom lens truly shines by offering a tremendous telephoto reach and flexibility for everything from wide-angle landscapes to distant wildlife. The lens aperture varies from f/3.0 at the wide end to f/5.9 at the telephoto limit. Optical image stabilization is sensor-shift, which helps neutralize camera shake at long focal lengths - a key feature for handheld telephoto shooting.

In contrast, the FX90 sports a more modest 24-120mm (5x) zoom with a somewhat faster wide aperture (f/2.5) permitting better control over depth of field for close-up and low-light conditions.

The EX-H30’s macro capabilities extend down to 1cm - allowing extreme close-ups - whereas the FX90 settles for a 3cm minimum focus distance.

My field tests showed the EX-H30 to be the clear winner for wildlife and sports shooting requiring reach, while the FX90’s brighter wide aperture better suits portraits and night street photography.

Shutter Speeds and Exposure Control

The EX-H30 offers shutter speeds from 8 seconds up to 1/2000s, complimented by aperture priority, shutter priority, and fully manual modes. Such flexibility is impressive in this range and gives users full creative control, especially outside automatic settings.

The FX90’s shutter range is 1/60s to 1/4000s but lacks manual or priority modes. Exposure compensation and custom white balance are minimal or missing, so it caters mostly to casual point-and-shoot photographers.

This difference profoundly impacts creative control. If you want to experiment with long exposures, freeze fast action, or handle tricky lighting scenarios, the EX-H30 is superior.

Video Capabilities: HD or HD-lite?

Despite their vintage, the FX90 significantly leads on video specs: it can shoot full HD 1920x1080 at 60fps and 30fps, with AVCHD and MPEG-4 formats. This quality supports slow-motion playback options and smoother footage.

The EX-H30 tops out at 1280x720 at 30fps with no advanced codecs, indicating a more casual approach to video usage.

Neither camera includes microphone or headphone ports, nor offer modern features like 4K video or in-body video stabilization. For casual family movies, the FX90’s capabilities are a notable boost.

Battery Life & Storage

The FX90 lists a battery life of approximately 200 shots, which is modest but typical for compact cameras with active LCDs and Wi-Fi radios.

The EX-H30 lacks clear official battery life documentation, but real-world usage suggests roughly 180-220 shots per charge depending on zoom usage and screen time.

Both use single storage slots, with the FX90 supporting SD/SDHC/SDXC media, which is more versatile compared to the unspecified storage of the EX-H30.

Connectivity Features: Built-in Wireless Makes the Difference

The FX90 offers built-in wireless connectivity, which was forward-thinking in 2011 and allows easy image transfer to smartphones or social media - though basic by current standards.

The EX-H30 has no wireless options, relying on USB 2.0 for image transfer - a slower, more outdated method.

For photographers prioritizing immediate sharing or remote control possibilities, the FX90 has a clear upper hand.

Durability and Weatherproofing

Neither camera offers environmental sealing, waterproofing, or shockproof features, which is standard given their price and compact focus. For rugged use or professional outdoor photography, neither would be suitable without protective cases.

Casio EX H30 screen back Panasonic FX90 front Panasonic FX90 screen back

Real-World Usage: Shooting Across Genres

Portraits
Exploiting the FX90’s wider f/2.5 aperture in the 24mm end lends it superiority for portraits with better background blur, an asset combined with its skin tone color rendering - which I found slightly warmer and more pleasing out of camera. The EX-H30’s longer zoom is less relevant here unless you prefer tightly cropped headshots at a distance. However, lack of face/eye detection autofocus on both demands patient manual focusing for precise portraits.

Landscape Photography
The EX-H30’s 16MP sensor produced images with richer detail, especially for large prints or cropping. Its 24mm wide angle is standard but telephoto reach doesn’t aid typical landscape compositions. The FX90, while limited to 12MP, incorporates in-camera dynamic range enhancement features that help in contrasty scenes. Neither offers weather sealing, so care is needed shooting in adverse environments.

Wildlife
The EX-H30’s massive 12.5x zoom and steady sensor-shift stabilization make it a better candidate for casual wildlife shooters, though autofocus speed limits its success with fast-moving animals. The FX90’s autofocus tracking supports wildlife but its shorter reach demands cropping.

Sports
Burst modes are limited or absent on the EX-H30, whereas the FX90 offers a modest continuous shooting speed of 4 fps, aiding casual sports shooting. Yet autofocus lag remains a bottleneck on both.

Street Photography
For街拍, the FX90’s compact size and touchscreen AF offer discreet, quick framing. The EX-H30’s bulk and zoom scream “camera” in quiet environments. Both cameras struggle in very low light due to sensor constraints.

Macro
Casio’s aggressive 1cm macro focusing allows compositional experimentation at extreme close distances. FX90’s 3cm minimum focus is standard but limiting.

Night & Astro Photography
Long exposure capability on the EX-H30 combined with manual modes makes it marginally better suited for night scenes and astro shots, despite high noise. The FX90’s higher max ISO is handy but noise levels limit utility.

Video
If moving pictures are important, Panasonic’s full HD 1080p at 60fps and AVCHD format provide more professional looking clips. Casio’s 720p is serviceable but not inspiring.

Scoring Their Overall Performance

Compiling technical specs and real-world experience, the EX-H30 scores higher on manual control, image resolution, zoom range, and macro capabilities. The FX90 shines for video, autofocus sophistication, and portability.

Genre-by-Genre Breakdown

• Portraits: FX90 (due to aperture and AF)
• Landscape: EX-H30 (due to resolution)
• Wildlife: EX-H30 (due to zoom reach)
• Sports: FX90 (better AF speed)
• Street: FX90 (compactness and quick AF)
• Macro: EX-H30 (minimum focus distance)
• Night/Astro: EX-H30 (manual control)
• Video: FX90 (full HD @ 60fps)
• Travel: FX90 (size, weight, wireless)
• Professional: Neither truly professional, but EX-H30 better controls

Conclusion: Which Is Right For You?

Choosing between the Casio EX-H30 and Panasonic FX90 boils down to priorities:

• Choose the EX-H30 if: You want advanced manual controls, extensive zoom range, higher resolution for landscapes or wildlife, and macro shooting capability. It serves enthusiasts wanting to step up from basic compacts but aren’t ready to move to mirrorless or DSLRs.

• Choose the FX90 if: You prioritize pocketability, better autofocus tracking, superior video recording, and wireless image transfer. It fits casual photographers and vloggers looking for a neat all-rounder with decent image quality and fast operation.

These cameras represent well the compromises inherent to compact designs around 2011 - no single “perfect” model, but each with strengths carving a niche. Understanding these trade-offs equips you to select the best tool for your photographic style and workflow.

Happy shooting!

If you want a hands-on guide beyond specs, I recommend trying both cameras in-store or through rental services. Feel free to reach out with questions about specific shooting scenarios - after all, the best camera is the one that feels right in your hands.